WESLEY AN MISSION AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2160, 13 May 1886, Page 2

WESLEY AN MISSION AT HAMILTON.

These special services were continued on Tuesday evening by an open-air meeting, opposite the B<ink of New Zealand. Several hymns were sang, accompanied by the harmonium, and Mrs Dellow gave the solo from Sankey, "Up with Thy Hands to Jesus," with good effect. The B,ev. J. S. Smalley spoke from the story of Zacchaeus, pointing out that the case was a warrant for the sudden conversion of very bad men. Some people thought their case to be hopeless, while others thought they must go through a long preparatory work before obtaining the Divine favour. The conversion of Zacchanis also illustrated the practical nature of true religion. He at once made restitution for wrong done to others by extortion. The following remarkable incident was related: — "There i was a famous prize fighter named Bendigo. Hugh Miller saw him in 1845 at Olney, the home of the poet Cowper. Behdigo had just beaten Gaunt tor 300 guineas.andf Hugh Miller saw him all battered arid bruised after the fight, standing at the door of a whisky shop. Thirty years after Bendigo was in gaol for the 27th time ; he heard ths chaplain speaking of David and Goliath. The result was told in the columns of " The Daily Telegraph." Bendigo listened, as the subject was just in his line. He forgot where ho was, and at the close bawled out. "Bravo, I'm . glad the little 'un won." Next Sunday the strmon was on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He fancied tho name of the third was Bendigo, and said to himself, "If one Bendigo can be saved, why not another ?" Everything in tho Bible seemed written for himself. Upon getting out of gaol he found his old companions waiting for him, but he declared that he, would ne,vor enter another public house. He went to a mission meeting, and that very night on his way home he fell on his knees in the snow, and yielded himself to the Saviour. He had been in 21 matched fights, he told the reporter, and had not^ been beaten in one, " but," said he, " when' I came to the Cross of Christ I was quite beaten ftt the first round." Ho was then doing his utmost to learn the ABC that he might be able to read tho Bible, and remarked, ''If God could save Bendy, he could save anybody." The service in the Church was addressed by Mrs Donald and Mr Smalley. Sacred solos were rendeied by Mrs Dollow and MUa Salmon. There was a large attendance. Similar meetings were held hist evening^ Mr Smalley delivered an earnest, practical and logical address on the question " How can a man tell when be is saved ?" The discourse abounded in picturesque illustrations, and ovi-" denced much deep thought. Mrs Smalley fallowed on the same subject, dwelling more Sarticularly on the peace-giving attribute of l-race. MrsSmalley also sang one of Sankey 's solos sweetly and pathetically. There was a ver.y large congregation. This evening concludes the mission, when a collection will be taken up to defray expenses. The Evangelistic party proceed on Friday morning to the Thames by way of Te Aroha, at which place a meeting will be held on Friday evening, the party going ou by steamer nevt morning.

Special attention is directed to Mr Knox'i auction «ale of drapery at the Hamilton Auction Mart on Saturday. Terms very liberal. We noticB by circular in to-day's issue that the loiir eHtnblMisd saddlery and harness business can ied on by Mr Janiei Wiseman at Hamilton, is about to be closed. Mr Wiseman is about to devote the whole of his attention to his extensive manufacturing business in Auckland, where he has a large number of skilled workmen employed, and by the use of all the latest labour saving appliances he is able to produce goods in any quality, and at prices which are unequalled.